Peter Neil Bell's Blog: Cherry Chimes, page 5

Is Wilshere the answer to promotion success for AFCB?

It was big news last week to hear that Jack Wilshere was back training with AFCB. While he is free to sign, there was no clear indication of whether Bournemouth would look to sign Jack this month. He has the experience and quality to play in the team, and to possibly add something to what is already at the club, but would his signature promotion for the club? 

Is Jack Wilshere the answer for AFCB?

I am not so sure. While I see Jack Wilshere as a talent that is probably been playing at a higher level in previous seasons to the players Bournemouth have at their disposal, we must remember that Jack has not played a competitive game for some time now. He doesn't have a good injury record and the last time he did play for Bournemouth he wasn't exactly a goal machine or creative enough to supply that many assists. Yet, that was in the Premier League.

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The Championship is different from the Premier League and Jack would draw attention from opposition teams intent on making their mark on him. I don't think Jack would have it particularly easy. We should also consider that if Jack was picked ahead of other players that would mean perhaps fewer games for Lewis cook or Jefferson Lerma or Philip Billing. Tindall has to pick on current ability and not on reputation, which is why he was probably cool on saying if he would or wouldn't sign Jack in January.

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Personally, I'd like to see Jack sign for AFCB again. I think he would help morale in and around the club and help some belief that AFCB is still a big club in this division. Jack has to be right though. We can't afford any passengers, and certainly not high-paid passengers at this time. I trust Jason will make the right call on whether it is best to go for Jack, or look to bolster the team in other areas. It can't be a sentiment call, it has to be what is best for the club. AFCB are looking to get promoted and any decision must be made with that in mind and what Jack Wilshere could contribute?

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - A lucky escape from the Bet365 stadium
Championship chat - How will lockdown impact football?

A lucky escape from the Bet365 stadium

When we look back a league results in 2021, it will simply register a 0-1 away win for Bournemouth at the start of the year at the Bet365 stadium. NIt's not a bad place to win 0-1 away. But it wasn't the kind of victory that gave any kind of indication that Bournemouth are heading back to the Premier League. This was a poor performance. Don't be mislead that it was simply a patient way to three points. Bournemouth were more than rattled by Stoke City and they came away with three points, because Stoke didn't have their best striker available and Bournemouth did have Lewis Cook and Junior Stanislas to dig them out of a hole.

ACB just scrape a win at Stoke.

I suppose I should be more congratulatory that Bournemouth added yet another clean sheet to their total. To be honest, Begovic had little to do all match. It wasn't that he sat comfortably all evening though, as he will have seen his backline make numerous errors during the game, and was no doubt thankful that none of them led to a goal.

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While most of the social media annoyance was aimed at Jack Simpson, it is clear to me that the Cherries are missing the energy and forward mobility of Jack Stacey to takes pressure off of the defence. With Jack on the pitch, opposition wingers are pushed back more. When Bournemouth had the ball they found it hard to make the 5-2-3 system work. The wing-backs were not getting into midfield and Bournemouth were outnumbered in this area of the pitch. That didn't stop Lerma from chasing everything, and it didn't prevent Lewis Cook from playing wonder balls when he did get a moment of possession. But it wasn't the flowing controlled and attacking football that we saw against Brentford.

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The end result might have been three points, but the way the team played against Brentford and lost was far more pleasing to watch. You wonder how that can happen in just a couple of days?Stoke certainly exacted their high press well and nullified Bournemouth as best as they could. Had it not been for one moment of calm finishing from Stanislas, the Cherries would have just come away with a draw. The team is hanging on to Norwuch, Brentford and Swansea by the smallest thread. They will need to build some confidence before taking on Luton and have an FA Cup third-round tie against Oldham to negotiate first.

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How the team needs a spark and some new energy. I suspect the answers will be sought n the return of Arnaut Danjuma and the signing of Jack Wilshere, but will it be enough to secure promotion? Bournemouth have to make the right decisions in January over players to put themselves in with the best chance of going up. Currently, they are not looking like certain bankers for promotion on recent performances. 
Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Stanislas just keeps Bournemouth on course at Stoke 0-1

Stanislas just keeps Bournemouth on course at Stoke 0-1

Match ReportStoke City 0 v 1 AFCB2 January 2021

Junior Stanislas gets AFCB out of a dire performance.

Bournemouth recorded a rare away win but they hardly impressed on a night of some pretty dour football. The difference was a single goal from Junior Stanislas which keeps the Cherries in the hunt for the promotion places. This was a game where Stoke's press and hold of the game worked well, and with Solanke missing the best chance in the first half when he had broken free, it was looking like Bournemouth had run out of ideas. But Stanislas was the calm head that put his chance away for his seventh of the season, and it was really a relief for Bournemouth fans because this was anything but a confident performance.

Bournemouth made three changes with Junior Stanislas replacing Josh King, Diego Rico coming in for Philip Billing and Sam Surridge taking over from David Brooks. King looked a bit out of touch in the previous game, so that was no big surprise, but it was more surprising to see a second out and out forward chosen above David Brooks, but it was a bold move. Diego Rico had been out for some time, so it was also good to see him get another go. There was still no Danjuma.

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Match Description
There was a steady start to this game with Lewis Cook giving away the first free kick. Bournemouth soon became adapt at winning the ball back and Surridge was close to sniffing out a chance in the first four minutes before Stoke recovered.

Stoke were finding it hard to get forward, but Thompson had their first shoot which was high over the bar from inside the box.

Adam Smith had a great chance to get on the ned of a ball over the top but was tackled. Bournemouth were not finding the gaps and Stoke were gaining in confidence on the break with Fletcher shooting at Begovic who made a comfortable save on 11 minutes.

It was all a bit ragged from Bournemouth in defence. Fletcher had a decent chance from distance but hit it too high. on 14 minutes. A charge down saw Stoke City get another shot off at Begovic and Bournemouth's backline looked out of sorts. Joe Allen has a shot saved by Begovic.

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Stoke had a good free kick position on 18 minutes and Thompson picked out the side netting but had Begovic worried.  Stoke were controlling the game at this stage.

Lewis Cook then made an amazing pass to Solanke on the break, but the Bournemouth forward over hits the shot when he had the goal gaping on 23 minutes. Steve Fletcher hobbles off and Jacob Brown replaces him. A free kick given away by Rico is headed wide by Nick Powell. Surridge wins a free kick in a promising area. Stanislas puts it wide around the wall, but has the corner. Lewis Cook looks the most alert of AFCB's players. It's all a bit rushed for Bournemouth. They don't look comfortable.

Solanke had an opportunity to put Solanke in but over hot the pass. Lewis Cook is doing his best but the midfield is getting overrun.

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Second half
Bournemouth win a corner. A good early cross from Lewis Cook is cleared. 

Solanke does well and crosses but Bournemouth can't finish the move. The keeper comes out and parries well before Chester clears.

Brown has a shot saved by Begovic from distance. Adam Smith does the same at the other end but fires over. Thompson is booked for fouling Solanke. Chester is also booked trying to stop a throw.

Begovic drops on a low cross from McClean.

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Joe Allen is forcing the game now and Powell has a shot deflected that Begovic saves. Solanke has a shot blocked. Bournemouth really need a change. Powell fouls Steve Cook when Bournemouth were in trouble from a good cross.

Sam Clucas replaces Thompson, McClean's cross is punched away by Begovic. Bournemouth sub Surridge for Brooks on 71 minutes.

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McClean s booked for a foul on Brooks. Both teams look to have run out of ideas. Lewis cook spins the ball on to Stanislas and Stanislas scores on 79 minutes 0-1.

Tymon replaces McClean, Sam Vokes is also on for Smith. Adam Smith is replaced by Josh King on 85 minutes.

Solanke gets around the back and pulls it back, and Stanislas rushes in but sees his shot blocked from eight yards out. Stoke have a corner given away by Simpson. It's defended. King plays in Broks but his square ball to Solanke is cut out.

Lerma has been booked in added time. Brooks on the break finds King but Collins gets across to block.

Solanke is fouled and Souttar is in the book. 

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Summary
A fortunate win for Bournemouth that keeps them on course. Stoke were the better team for much of this match and Bournemouth failed to register any real attempts on goal. They were all over the place in defence at times and yet they managed to keep a clean sheet. Begovic didn't have to be at his best but Bournemouth didn't dominate the ball and were not playing that well on the counter. Even with Brooks coming on the game didn't change much, but with Josh King as well on the pitch, space was created for Stanislas to pinch the winner. Lewis Cook was the main reason why Bournemouth perhaps had the edge to win ugly.

AFCB Ratings: Begovic 6, A Smith 6, S Cook 6,  Simpson 5,  Kelly 5, Rico 5, Lerma 6, L Cook 7, Stanislas 6, Solanke 5, Surridge 6AFCB line-up AFCB Subs: 23 Travers, 33 Zemura, 4 Gosling, 7 Brooks, 20 Riquelme, 24 Ofoborhm, 26 Kilkenny, 
27 King, 32 Anthony

Cherry Chimes MoM: Lewis Cook

Stoke City: 32 Bursik, 37 Collins, 36 Souttar, 12 Chester, 14 Smith (Vokes84), 34 Thompson (Clucas 69), 25 Powell, 4 Allen, 11 McClean (Tymon 84), 13 Obi, 21 Fletcher (Brown 25)
Stoke City Sub: 6 Batth, 9 Vokes, 17 Shawcross, 18 Brown, 20 Oakley-Boothe, 22 Clucas, 24 Cousins, 35 Tymon, 40 Nna Noukeu

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Is it a good time to play Stoke City?

Is it a good time to play Stoke City?

I am not sure it is the best time to take on the Potters. They have been in a bit of a rut with just one win in their last five games and Bournemouth will have to play at what is known as one of the windiest grounds in the country to try and get their first three points in 2021. Had Stoke won a few more of their last few games they would have been in the automatic promotion places, so it's another tricky fixture for Jason Tndall's men, and now they really have to get something from to stay in contention with the front runners in the league.

Bournemouth look to get off to a good start in 2021 against Stoke City.

Tyrese Campbell and Nick Powell are their main strikers. Between them they have scored 12 goals with Campbell ahead on seven. Stoke have become a bit of the draw specialist with only two goals in their last five games. The important last win for them came against Blackburn Rovers and their last defeat was against Cardiff City at home on 8 December.

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Manager Michael O'Neill will be sweating on defender Josh Tymron and Steven Fletcher, the big Scottish forward. The influential midfielder Joe Allen is also possibly going to be available for this game and Jon Obi Mikel is another survivor from the club's Premier League days who could play a role in this fixture. It should be noted in the last two Stoke home games against Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City, they scored first and were pegged back. They may not be so strong off the bench and Tindall may stack the bench with attackers, ready for the second half subs to try and take advantage of a less effective Stoke City in the second half.

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Bournemouth can expect Arnaut Danjuma to be back, or his injury has been worse than previously stated. We have heard that Jack Stacey is training again, but he is unlikely to make the squad just yet. I think we can expect quite a physical game and Bournemouth will have to defend set-pieces well against this side. Bournemouth need to get their away form going if they are to stay in the top few places in the league.The pressure is really on now.

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Bournemouth Away Form
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Stoke City Home Form
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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - A costly defeat or a little hiccup at Brentford?

A costly defeat or a little hiccup at Brentford?

First thing's first - Happy New Year!

Jason Tindall was clear that Bournemouth had lost the game against Brentford for a couple of reasons. The team didn't take their chances early on and they defended badly when Brentford had the chance to score. While the defeat was only Bournemouth's third loss, it is what that might have done to the team's momentum, and whether it has shifted to other teams who will be more confident of getting something against Bournemouth now that will be tested.

AFCB have to start 2021 with more quality in front of goal

In some ways, I don't think the defeat is necessarily a bad thing. Bournemouth's players will be well aware that they can't expect to roll over teams that are fighting for promotion, and the defeat may have come at a good time when Bournemouth are taking stock of their situation, and have plenty of time to gether more points ahead of the run-in.

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The form of Amir Begovic is still very good and it is the aerial route to goal that Brentford exposed. Bournemouth will need to work at defending crosses and corners better to get back to earning clean sheets. From an attacking point of view, I don't feel there is much to worry about. Brentford have the best defence in the Championship, and the goal that did open them up was a beautifully created team goal that Solanke finished so well with a perfect goal.

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In midfield Jefferson Lerma, Lewis Cook and Philip Billing are getting a good grip on games but perhaps there needs to be more from David Brooks and Junior Stanislas. The imminent arrival of Arnaut Danjuma is surely something that Tindall will need to consider to try and give the team more impetus. The manager has kept with his favorite team, but it has not brought him wins. He'll need to think slightly differently, in my opinion, and start the New Year with a fresh outlook on things. While Josh King is getting appearance time, I am not sure if we will see him play at his best when other teams are looking at him.I'd still like to Sam Surridge start with Solanke, certainly for the home matches.

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Jason Tindall is now being tested and this is the time when we will see if he has the answers, or if he still has a bit more to figure out. We know Tindall will stay calm, but he also has to work out ways to get the team winning games and not just scoring the odd wonder goal.

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Chimes Newsletter - out today!
Cherry Chimes' January Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. The newsletter has a special story - It's hard not to get excited about the Cherries' position

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ctly timed run.

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Bournemouth slip up to promotion rivals Brentford 2-1

Match Report30 December 2020Brentford 2 v 1 AFCB Bournemouth come up short against Brentford in a tight match.

Bournemouth and Brentford give no quarter in this promotion-chasing match. Bournemouth started like a train and should have gone ahead in the opening minutes, had Solanke got a better connection on his first shot that was cleared off the line. He made up for it though getting on the end of a classic Bournemouth move with Lloyd Kelly providing the assist. Brentford were always dangerous though and while their forwards were keeping Begovic busy, it was Dalsgaard who headed them level from a corner before half-time. It was a tight game and while Bournemouth had been given a big rest before the game it didn't pan out in their favour. A big cross from Mbeumo was headed in at the far post by the sub, Fosu-Henry, and the Cherries couldn't fashion an opportunity like they had made in the first half.

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Jason Tindall decided to keep the starting line-up unchanged again. Josh King finally made it back to the bench and Bournemouth had a very attacking bench with three strikers and two wingers amongst it.

Match Description
Bournemouth almost have the dream start with Lerma getting on the ball and drilling a pass to Solanke. Solanke passes Raya in goal, but Jansson somehow managed to get back to clear the ball off the line.

Brentford's response is a weak shot from Ivan Toney from outside the box. Solane is very lively and Billing almost gets him in again, but the Cherries merely get a corner. Brentford counter well with Dalsgaard, but his cross doesn't find anyone.

It's all action with Solanke being blocked and from Bournemouth's corner it's Brentford that attack with money shooting wide again. Jensen also fires wide.

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Bournemouth are giving as good as they get with Brooks being blocked from close range after good work from Billing. Bournemouth are racking up the corners.

Mbeumo gets the better of Kelly and gives Brentford a corner. Canos goes close with a shot running across the edge of the box before shooting inches wide. Janssen goes close again with a free kick which Begovic saves at the near post. Begovic has to save again from Canos at the near post.

Bournemouth take a breather. The movement is amazing goal with Stanislas moving the ball well and Lewis Cook drives a cross into the six-yard box and Solanke makes the run to make it 0-1on 25 minutes.

Janelt gets along the backline but Simpson eventually gets the clearance in. Mbeumo puts a dangerous cross in but it's too strong.

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Billing blocks well. Brentford are keeping possession. Simpson makes a great block and Begovic has to get don to hos right to save from Mbuemo, corner. Brentford have equalised from the corner with Dalsgaard ut leaping Lerma at the near post.

Stanislas is pulled back Dalsgaard but the ref lets it go. Lewis Cook has been booked for showing a Brentford player. Stanislas keeps asking the question of Brentford's defence. Jensen has a strike wide from distance.

Second half
Bournemouth get the first corner of the second half. It's Brentford that are coming forward though and Canos shoots wide.

A long ball down the centre from Lerma almost gets Solanke in. Canos cuts inside and goes across the box but shoots well over. Solanke is blocked and the ball comes out to Brooks but the shot is saved.

Toney brings down Solanke on the break. Canos is subbed for Fosu. Lewis Cook is of and Josh King is on after 69 minutes. King goes straight for goal but Raya makes a comfortable save.

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Bournemouth are pushing for the win now. Lerma finds Stanislas who is blocked then Brooks is sent through and his pull back is cleared. Brentford are defending deeper now. Lerma's influence is getting stronger on the game. He picks out Solanke with ease.

Brooks is upended and Brentford are allowed to play on with Toney racing to goal but he is offside. Brentford attack again with Toney putting it out wide to Mbeumo and his cross is headed in by Fosu-Henry at the far post - 2-1 to Brentford on 79 minutes.

Brooks is subbed for Surridge on 83 minutes. Lerma drives a wild shot over. Ghodoss is on for Mbeumo and Gosling replaces Lerma on 89 minutes.

Four minutes of added time. Bournemouth have been caught out, they are all up field. Toney breaks and squares to Jensen but Begovic saves well. Ghodoss has a shot saved.

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Summary
It was a brisk game and Bournemouth will feel they should have made the most of their early chances. Brentford hit back well when they had the opportunity and they hustled and fought for every ball. There needed to be a bit more cleverness from Bournemouth's players. They didn't have it and resorted by getting into scrappy tussles, rather than concentrating on quality play. It should be a lesson to the players that they have to fight with more killing instinct in the last third, and there were a few players that simply are not quite excelling as much as might be expected. I'll let you guess who but the ratings may give you an indication. It says it all when my man of the match was Asmir Begovic. Jason's subs also didn't do anything to raise the tempo and perhaps putting two subs on when King came on could have given the team more of a reminder that levels were not as high as they could be.

AFCB
Begovic 8, Smith 6, S Cook 6, Simpson 6, Kelly 5, Brooks 5, Lerma 7, Billing 7, L Cook 7, Stanislas 5, Solanke 7

Cherry Chimes' MoM: Begovic.

AFCB line-up AFCB Subs: Travers, Rico, Ofoborgh, Gosling, Kilkenny, Riquelme, Anthony, King, Surridge

Brentford: 1 Raya, 22 Dalsgaard, 18 Jansson, 5 Pinnock, 3 Henry, 27 Janlet, 14 Dasilva (Marcondes 81), 8 Jensen, 19 Mbeumo (Ghodoss 89), 7 Canos (Fosu-Henry 64), 17 Toney 

Brentford Subs: Daniels, Thompson, Emiliano, Forss, Ghodoss, Fosu, Sorensen, Golbert, Stevens

Chimes Newsletter - out tomorrow!
Cherry Chimes' January Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. The newsletter has a special story - It's hard not to get excited about the Cherries' position

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Bournemouth to end the year with a massive game

A few months ago it might not have seemed a big deal to be playing Brentford away. But things have moved on and the Cherries need to find their winning form again against a side that rivalls them for a high finish this season. A win against Brentford would confirm Bournemouth solidly in second position in the Championship and set up a second half of the season when they could be soon take pole position for promotion.

Guess who is back training with the Cherries? And he's out of contract!
But Brentford have got plenty about them. You have to go back 10 league home games before they were beaten by Preston North End at the Community Stadium. They have the league's top scorer in Ivan Toney on 16 goals and Marcuss Forss is not a bad shot either with seven goals and has just signed a new five-year deal. Their form was highlighted in recent matches by beating Newcastle United to get to the Carabao Cup Semi-final and they managed to come from 1-0 down against Cardiff in their last away league match to win 2-3.

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Add to that Brentford's defence which is the meanest in the Championship and suddenly the task ahead for Bournemouth doesn't look nearly so simple, considering that the Cherries have stumbled to a couple of draws in their last five games. It will, of course, be AFCB's first league game at the new Community Stadium. Whether the long wait for this game will help the Cherries is yet to be seen, but I had hoped by now that Arnaut Danjma would be available. However, I suspect Danjuma might need a few more days. Bournemouth need to freshen the side up a bit to try and get back some rhythm and flow to their game which was so impressive in early-December. Jason Tindall did say Josh King and David Brooks will be available, but the game might come too soon for Chris Mepham, who is a bit behind Arnaut Danjuma in his fitness recovery. Jack Stacey is even further behind that.

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The unexpected news is that Jack Wilshere is training with the Cherries again. This should certainly have kept morale high among the players to have such a talent training with them. While nothing has been discussed about potentially signing him, it would surely be a great boost to Bournemouth's promotion push if they can add him to the squad in January.

Possible AFCB line-up

AFCB Subs: Travers, Rico, Gosling, Billing, Ofoborgh, Riquelme, Stanislas, Surridge, Anthony 

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AFCB Away Form
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Rival Lines: "Brentford are warming up nicely," says Beesotted

Rival Lines
Match preview: Brentford v AFCB
Podcast Interview: Beesotted
Twitter: @Beesotted @Billythebee99

I had the good fortune to spend a bit of time with Billy who writes and hosts the Beesotted podcast for Brentford fans. Brentford have suddenly started to pick up form and are just a place behind Bournemouth now and go into this game knowing a win could put them n the automatic promotion places. So,  Bournemouth couldn't have asked for a much harder game to finish 2020 with.

You can catch the Beesotted Pre-Match preview podcast here
CC: It was a great win against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup. Is a semi-final going to be a good distraction from the league for Brentford?

BEES: The win against Newcastle was great. Many Bees fans were a bit disappointed when they saw the starting line-up - with Thomas Frank opting to play many of the so called ‘second string’ (I prefer to say squad out of respect) players who had got us to this stage of the competition.

Fosu - a winger - and Thompson - our sub left back - were playing in the full-back positions. Mads Bech Sorenson - who graduated from Brentford’s B-team, has had a fair amount of first-team game time recently in the absence of Pontus Jansson - at centre-back.

And with first-teamers Ivan Toney, Josh Dasilva, Matthias Jensen and Christian Norgaard all on the bench. 

But the gamble paid off - getting the squad rotation that the team has so massively needed after an arduous season whilst also getting the win - Josh DaSilva coming off the bench to net the winner.

We’ve had a slow start to the season as per usual. But it’s been steady. And although it hasn’t been as pretty as last season (with players like Said Benrahma out of the side, he will always be hard to replace), we have been a lot more assured. Chiselling out results against teams who last season, we would have lost to. Like Cardiff, on Saturday, who went 1-0 up with a genius goal. And were in danger of bullying themselves to a win with their long throws and free kicks bombarding our goal.

Last season we lost around a quarter of our matches 1-0. This season we seem to have got our heads around the opposition 'nicking a goal against us’.

So, yes the Newcastle game was a good distraction from the league. But ironically, it didn’t fully involve many of the players who play in the league week-in-and-week-out. So it allowed us to be fresh for the Cardiff game three days later.
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CC: Brentford haven't lost at home since playing Preston North End in early October. Why do you think the home form has been so impressive of late?

BEES: That Preston game was weird. Early October. We were 13th going into the match

I remember it well because I hooked up with a load of Preston fans who had travelled down from the North East the day before to watch their non-league club Corinthian Casuals (they are the Northern Casuals) play Dulwich Hamlet in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup. They were not expecting anything from the Bees game as Brentford had beaten them in every match bar one draw at Griffin Park going back to 2011.

Norgaard went off injured after 20 minutes. Little did we know we wouldn’t see him again until the Newcastle match. And little did we know at the time how much his injury would affect the side. It took us weeks to find a proper balance in midfield after Norgaard went injured.

We were 2-0 up at half-time. We fell apart in the second half with Preston winning 4-2.

We never ever fall apart like that. And fans were quite worried that we were losing the plot after losing in the playoffs to Fulham.

It took a month or so for Brentford to find their feet - trying out different combinations in the midfield positions.

Towards the end of November, when we played Barnsley away and QPR at home, one player really started to come into his own. Vitaly Janelt - bought late in the transfer window to little or no fuss at all. He pretty much snuck under the radar. And when he was asked to fill Norgaard’s shoes, not much was expected from him if truth be known.

But he has more than exceeded expectations. He has been tremendous. And does what it says on the tin. A formidable central defender. No messing. Whose job is to break up the opposition play. Win the ball back. And feed the attacking midfielders and forwards.

Our home form has been OK, because we’ve cut out the losses that we had last season. Around 25% of our matches were 1-0 losses. We’ve managed to turn those losses into draws. Our record is two wins and three draws in our last five home matches which is so so. Could be better.

Saying that, away from home we are formidable. Second in the away form table - just behind Norwich. And overall - home and away - we’re the form side in the league.

But as you know, that means nothing long term. One bad result. One injury. One piece of bad luck. Can change everything. 

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CC: How much has Thomas Frank changed the style of football at Brentford?

BEES: The style of football Brentford plays was decided by the owner Matthew Benham way back when. Like back in 2010. And ever since then, we have employed the right coaching staff, support staff and players to play that style. So, Thomas Frank coming in hasn’t changed the style of our play. He would have been employed because he complemented our style of play.

Saying that, Thomas Frank was bought in from Denmark half-way through Dean Smith’s reign to become one of his assistant head coaches. The idea - Frank could add valuable tactical elements to Brentford’s game working alongside Smith. Frank also had two years to learn what the Championship was all about. Rather than bringing him in fresh from Denmark when a vacancy came up.

When Dean Smith left, Thomas Frank was able to seamlessly slip into Smith’s shoes. His succession had been planned two years in advance. Even though in his first 10 matches he won only one game (I think it was) and lost pretty much all the rest, because according to the stats, Brentoffrd was performing as expected and were deemed as being unlucky for getting the results they got, there was no chance Frank was going to get sacked - despite pundits saying it was on the cards.

He since turned it around and has gone from strength to strength.

It’s not all been plain sailing. He’s been at times slow to make changes and very much sticks to his guns to see things through. Which can be admired in one hand. And can be frustrating in other hands.

But he has made Brentford more defensively sound than any of his predecessors, Dean Smith, Mark Warburton and Uwe Rosler.

But to be fair to him, he stuck with players like Sergi Canos when it looked like he was misfiring this season. Jensen when he looked a tad shaky. Marcondes who had a poor start to life at Brentford but Frank really believed in him and he has had some fabulous moments in the last year.

So, fair play to Frank. He knows his onions.
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CC: Were you happy about the sale of Ollie Watkins?

BEES: I can’t say I was happy no. We all loved Ollie Watkins. But this is all part of being a Brentford fan. From selling Andre Gray back at the end of that season when we made the Championship playoff semi-final when Bees fans were gutted. Since then, we have always replaced a key player sold for someone better. Upfront we went from Gray to Scott Hogan. Lasse Vibe. Neal Maupay. Ollie Watkins. Plus we also sold the likes of Jota. Said Benrahma. Ryan Woods plus loads more. And of course Chris Mepham.

It makes it hard for you as a fan to get a real relationship with a player when you know he is going to leave after spending just two years at the club. But we’ve got used to it - I’m sad to say. And to be fair, it’s really helped us to keep us financially on an even keel.

The player sales over the last fie years has made us I believe around £100m in profit - some of which we still have to spend in the January window (we haven’t spent the £20m Maupay money or a lot of the £28m Watkins money and then there is another £20m to come from West Ham for Benrahma).

I would love Ollie still to be here. But he’s doing well in the Premier League. And we bought in Ivan Toney who could finish the first half of the season with 20 league goals.

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CC: Which is the best team in the Championship that you would say that Brentford have played so far?

BEES: Hmmm. We should have beaten Norwich. They got a lucky deflected equaliser in the final couple of minutes.

We hammered Watford 0-0 in the first half - we really should have been two or three up by half-time. The ref spoiled the match sending off Ethan Pinnock. We still got a draw but Watford weren’t all that.

Preston blew us away in that second half scoring four goals. They had the better of us all match.

Stoke also had our number in the first half going three up. But were hanging on for dear life in the second half as we got two back and pushed for an equaliser.

Blackburn looked lively in the 2-2 match at our stadium.

But I would say Preston out of all the teams we played so far.
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CC: Ivan Toney has done well since signing for the Bees. Is there a particular type of goal that he is good at getting - poacher, headers, outside the box - and what was his best goal?

BEES: Toney is your archetypal striker. Put the ball in the box and he’ll get you a goal. Header. Poachers shot. One-on-one with the keeper. He’s very different to Ollie Watkins. But a great striker. And also works so hard in defence to. So, he’s like having 12 players in your side. 
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CC: Are Brentford capable of finishing in the top two this season or do they need to add to their squad to be able to really make a charge on the top two places?

BEES: We started slowly as we always do. But we’re warming up nicely. And the squad is coming together at the right time. We’re going to be top six going into the second half of the season. We’re so far unbeaten in 15 matches. And we have the league’s top striker. We also have players coming back from injury like Norgaard and Janson. And players coming into form like Canos, DaSilva and Mbeumo.

I’ll be surprised if we didn’t strengthen in the window. Possibly in one of the full-back positions. And also bring in a winger.

But I really do think we can push for a top-two place - assuming we do not get hit by injuries.

With Norwich, Bournemouth, Watford, Swansea, Boro gathering steam, possibly Blackburn and us, it’s going to be a fascinating battle.
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CC: How are Brentford likely to line up for the game?

BEES: Our first eleven normally picks itself.

Dalsgaard. Pontus Janson. Pinnock and Henry will play in front of David Raya in goal.

Frank does like to rotate the midfield with Marcondes. Jensen. Dasilva. Norgaard filling the three midfield spots.

Upfront I would be surprised if it wasn’t Mbuemo Toney and Canos. With six-goal Marcus Forss on the bench. Advertisement The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 
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CC: What is your score prediction?

BEES: Bournemouth have undoubtable quality. And it’s going to be tough.

On the Beesotted Pride Of West London podcast this week, which you kindly did the match preview interview for Peter, I predicted a 2-0 win for Brentford. We need to start winning home matches and I’m hoping with our first team all finally back on the pitch, this will be the match that we really step up to the plate.

CC: Many thanks for Billy for his absolute mountain of football knowledge on the Brentford team and for sharing his Beesotted thoughts with Cherry Chimes. Brentford are playing well and I can see why Billy is predicting a win for the home side. But while Bournemouth have not been winning all the time they have been keeping clean sheets and you have to go back to the Preston game when a team scored more than one against the Cherries' defence and in away match it was Rotherham who last managed that. I'm confident that Bournemouth can score against the best defence and best home record in the Championship, and I think we'll make it difficult for goal-machine Ivan Toney. So, a 1-1 prediction is how I see it. Like the Billy though, I know Bournemouth need to keep the wins coming if they are to catch Norwich City.
Do visit the Beesotted podcast. You'll find a match preview podcast there for this game in which I talk with Billy and discuss my thoughts ahead of the match. 
Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Can we expect Howe to be back in management in January?

Can we expect Howe back in management in January?

Bournemouth's previous manager must be getting itchy fingers and feet by now. Eddie Howe left AFCB last August and while he has done a spot of punditry he has kept himself pretty much out of the picture for future jobs. But with January approaching and opportunities popping up all over the place, I think we can expect to see Eddie Howe back in football in 2021 and perhaps even as soon as in the next few weeks.

Will we see Eddie back in football very soon?

What we don't know is at what level Eddie would look to come back into the game. He loves working with youth more than anything so clubs with young squads are likely to be high up on his list as well as a strong family club. Looking at the struggling teams in the Premier League we can expect teams like Fulham, Sheffield United, Brighton and WBA candidates for managerial changes if the picture doesn't improve for these clubs. 

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My guess is that Eddie would want to manage a club that is perhaps bigger side than AFCB at least in the way of a fanbase. In that respect, he has potential interest from Newcastle United, or at least their fans. But he may even see a slight chance of getting in the frame for the job at Arsenal if Arteta can't turn things around at the London club. That might be too big a shift up though for Howe and he may be attracted to a club like Crystal Palace who he has turned down before but might feel the time is right now, as Roy Hodgson can't afford too many more heavy defeats.

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The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 
- it's available now for £11.49 as a paperback - visit Amazon to order

There are big clubs though that Howe could look at that would give AFCB fans more immediate concern. He could at the Championship sides that are up against it like Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest, or Derby if Wayne Rooney does not work out. I don't think the Championship or League One would worry Howe if he had a big club to manage with the capability to win promotion. 

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If we look at the players and connections Eddie Howe might have at clubs, I'd put Sheffield United up there as a really strong potential. Lys Mousset and Aaron Ramsdale may have thought they had seen the last of Eddie but a link up there would not be that surprising. There are a good number of players now-former AFCB players at Nottingham Forest with Harry Arter, Lewis Grabbon and Lyle Taylor on the books. Eddie came back to Bournemouth to be reunited with players and I can see him liking the opportunity to work with players he has already done a lot with who can help pass on his ideas.

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Of course, Eddie Howe probably doesn't have to work. he could walk away from football having achieved a great deal. But Eddie is a person who always wants to improve day on day and I still think he could one day get a national club job, such as the England manager. But he has to get back into the game to achieve that, so I am not expecting his phone to stay quiet for long.

Previous post on Cherry Chimes - Has Asmir proved he is Premier League class?

Brentford v AFCB pre-mtach podcast with Beesoted featuring Cherry Chimes

Has Asmir proved he is Premier League class?

The return to form of Asmir Begovic has been quite miraculous. When he has gone out on loan in Azerbaijan, I never expected him to return to play another game for the Cherries. He was a flat as he could have been, and had perhaps fallen out of love with the game. But his time in Azerbaijan and at AC Milan turned his fortunes around, and under Jason Tondall he has just kept improving.

Begovic is back to his best

To do well in any league you need a top-quality keeper. The experience that Begovic has is really second to none in the Championship, and at his best he is surely good enough to be the top Championship keeper. The question is would he be good enough to play in the Premier League next season if Bournemouth did win back promotion? I think he would start games, but Bournemouth may need some extra cover in that position. While Bournemouth have had a conveyor belt of keepers in recent years, the age of Begovic is on the higher side and they'll need to give Mark Travers more game time at some point if they are to keep his interest at AFCB.

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Advertisement The Disrupted Season (2019-20) completes the story of Eddie Howe's reign at AFC Bournemouth 
- it's available now for £11.49 as a paperback - visit Amazon to order

Begovic doesn't seem ready to hand over the shirt just now though. He has been playing as if his life depended on it to keep clean sheets and keep Bournemouth in games. He has put himself in the frame to be a strong candidate for player of the season, and perhaps his calming influence has been good for the younger players at the club who know they have a reliable keeper behind them at the back.

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What the future holds for Begovic is really what he makes of it from what I see. He could go on to win many more starts for the Cherries, but he has to stay consistent. That is what he lost under Eddie Howe, but he has a second opportunity now and is looking to make the most of it.

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Previous post on Cherry Chimes - It could be a big year for Bournemouth midfielder in 2021